Following last week’s National League Annual General Meeting where the team building limit for British Speedway’s third tier was surprisingly announced as staying at 39 points, the Kent SLYDE Kings team for the new season will have a decidedly youthful look about it.

Coming in alongside 15-year-old Anders Rowe (a big success in his inaugural year in the Invicta race jacket last term and happily back in 2018) will be 17-year-old Jacob Clouting, son of ex-Arena Essex & Ipswich rider Savalas Clouting.

Jacob impressed the Kings’ management team in a practice session at Iwade and although a very recent ​newcomer to the sport, it was obvious that the family connection was having a beneficial effect.

Joining both of these young men in the 2018 Kings’ line up will be 16-year-old Taylor Hampshire, who rode for Birmingham in 2017. Clearly a rider with immense promise, the Central Park Stadium-based Kings’ team manager Chris Hunt, considers Suffolk-based Taylor’s capture as a major boost for the team.

Together with his girlfriend Mia, Taylor is at present learning to ski under the tuition of Kent co-Promoter, Len Silver in the French Alps.

Silver commented: “There is no doubt that these three teenagers will feed off each other for their mutual benefit and it will be exciting to watch their progress. Anders showed what can be done last season (as our other teenager Jack Thomas did the year before and carried on progressing last term) and I expect him to be the one for these new youngsters to chase.”

“Hopefully we will also have a fifth teenager in the ranks too as we search for a new Number 7 as well. It’s exciting times in Kent”.

The SLYDE Kings will get their 2018 campaign underway on Good Friday (30/3/18) with the visit of local rivals Eastbourne Eagles in the Easter Chase. Start time to be announced.

Picture supplied by Elizabeth Leslie.